MENIN RODRIGUES
TORONTO
In a world wearied by conflict and division, an evening of profound purpose unfolded in Toronto on September 11.
The Lieutenancy, Canada-Toronto of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, under the leadership of its Lieutenant of Goan origin, Dr Colin Saldanha, hosted its signature philanthropic event, ‘Children of the Holy Land - An Evening of Hope and Solidarity.’
Held as a formal dinner and entertainment gala at Vaughan, the evening drew a full house of Knights, Dames, clergy, and devoted Friends of the Lieutenancy. It was more than a gathering of Toronto’s Catholic community at its most elegant; it was a powerful testament to generosity in action, a bridge of solidarity stretching 9,000 kilometres from a banquet hall in Toronto to the classrooms and homes of the Holy Land.
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, one of the oldest pontifical orders of the Catholic Church, has a sacred mission: to support the living stones—the Christians who remain in the land of Christ. In a region where Christian presence is increasingly fragile, that support is not abstract. It is practical, daily, and life-sustaining.
That mission was given voice by His Eminence Cardinal Frank Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto and Grand Prior of the Lieutenancy, Canada-Toronto.
Addressing the assembled guests, Cardinal Leo reminded all present of the profound weight behind their fellowship.
“This gathering is more than an evening of fellowship and fraternity,”Cardinal Leo said.
“Your support helps to ensure the future of 45 schools which serve over 18,000 students and 1,700 educators.”
Those 45 schools — spread across Israel, Palestine, Egypt and Jordan — are the lifeline of the Christian community. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem operates them, and without the Order, many could not keep their doors open.
They educate Christian and Muslim children side by side, offering not only academic excellence but a message of coexistence and dignity. They employ 1,700 teachers and staff, providing stable livelihoods that allow families to remain rooted in their homeland.
This year’s Gala focused sharply and intentionally on that future. As Lieutenant, Dr Saldanha announced all proceeds from the evening were directed to the Holy Land Children’s Educational Endowment Fund.
“This year’s Gala directly supports the Holy Land Children’s Educational Endowment Fund; we have raised $825,000 to date towards our $1M goal for 2026,” Dr Saldanha explained.
“Education is, quite simply, the foundation on which the Holy Land’s future rests. It ensures resilience and continuity, helping families remain rooted in their homeland.”
His words capture the heart of the Toronto Lieutenancy’s generosity. This is not charity for charity’s sake. It is an investment in permanence. When a child in Bethlehem, Ramallah, or Amman receives a quality education, their family has a reason to stay. When a school thrives, a parish thrives. When a parish thrives, Christianity endures where it began.
In her message on the occasion, Dame Rose Savage, Gala Chairperson, said,“We become that village for the Children in the Holy Land forever. It may be a small part of their lives, but it is an integral one.”
The generosity of the Friends of the Lieutenancy, Canada-Toronto reflects the best of Toronto’s spirit — multicultural, faithful, and deeply aware of its responsibility to the global Church. Through the tables they purchased, the donations they pledged, and their ongoing commitment as Friends, they ensure that the light in the schools of the Holy Land does not dim.
The Order’s motto, Deus lo Vult (God Wills It) was lived out not on a battlefield, but in the quiet, determined act of giving. On that evening in Toronto, hope had a name, solidarity had a face, and the children of the Holy Land knew they were not forgotten.
Dr Saldanha to be honoured with Knight Grand Cross
Dr Colin Saldanha will be honoured in October with the Knight Grand Cross, the Knight Commander with star, a citation in recognition of his service to the Church and the Holy Land.
A physician based in Toronto, Canada, Dr Colin Saldanha hails from DeMello Vaddo in Saligao; both his deceased parents Alec and Orfelinda Saldanha were born in Saligao.
Dr Saldanha was born, raised and educated in Karachi. The family moved to Canada in 1981. In 2022, he was appointed by the Grand Magestrium in Rome to be the Toronto Lieutenant of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a Papal Order under protection of the Holy See.
Dr Saldanha is married to Sheila Saldanha nee Da Silva, daughter of Sonny and Bridget Da Silva of Salem, Salvador Do Mundo.
